Wines and Beyond

White Wine by Ch. La Nerthe from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France - Rhone. This luxury white cuvee, Clos de Beauvenir (60% Roussanne and 40% Clairette) is named after the original name of the estate in the 16th Century. Selected from the finest parcels of old vines, this wine is truly an elixer in a class by itself. A gloriously perfumed, honeyed wine possessing full body, terrific acidity, tremendous delineation, and a layered texture. A terrific beam of acacia honey and dried pineapple runs through this full-bodied white. with blanched almond, mineral and guava hints. Shows the tropical note of the vintage. but keeps its stony persistence. Drink now through 2007. 330 cases made. Wine Spectator 10/15/2006 The luxury cuvee, the 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Clos de Beauvenir (only 500 cases) is stunning, with notes of waxy lanolin, orange blossom, pear, and peach intermixed with white flowers and citrus oil... -Wine Advocate

White Wine by Chapoutier from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France - Rhone. Color: Brilliant golden yellow. Aroma: Hints of wine leaves and lily. Taste: Well-balanced and fresh. Candied citrus fruit aromas. Bright, minerally and very focused. Elegant floral, white peach and citrus peel notes race through the lengthy finish, which has great cut. Drink now through 2008. Wine Spectator 91 Points

White Wine by Ch. La Nerthe from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France - Rhone. Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc is is a little known but striking wine. Blended from Grenache Blanc, Boubelenc, Roussanne & Clairette, the wines unique spicy yet floral qualities make it a crowd pleaser and its firm acidity provides the structure for a rare white which can benefit from a small amount of aging.

White Wine by Tablas Creek from Central Coast, California. Blend: 70% Roussanne, 25% Grenache Blanc, 5% Picpoul Blanc The 2005 Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc is a vibrant expression of the terroir of Tablas Creek. It shows aromas of honeysuckle, mint, lemon peel and spice, with rich Roussanne flavors of honey, rose petals, pear, petrol and white flowers, excellent breadth, cleansing acidity and great length. It should drink well when young but will also reward time in bottle; it is expected to show beautifully for at least the next 5-7 years. Food pairings: Cooked shellfish (lobster, softshell crab, shrimp); roasted or grilled vegetables (eggplant, asparagus, peppers); foods cooked with garlic and olive oil; rich fish dishes (i.e., salmon, swordfish); Asian stir fry

White Wine by Tablas Creek from Central Coast, California. Blend: 65% Roussanne, 30% Grenache Blanc, 5% Picpoul Blanc The 2004 Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc is a vibrant expression of the terroir of Tablas Creek, with aromas of honeysuckle, pear, spice and mineral, flavors of caramel apple, lemon peel and honey, excellent breadth and a long clean finish. It will drink well when young but should also show beautifully for at least the next 5-7 years. Food pairings: Cooked shellfish (lobster, softshell crab, shrimp); roasted or grilled vegetables (eggplant, asparagus, peppers); foods cooked with garlic and olive oil; rich fish dishes (salmon, swordfish); Asian stir fry

White Wine by Treana from Central Coast, California. Treana White is a Rhone-style blend of Marsanne and Viognier, two varieties that thrive in California's Central Coast growing region. Fruit for the blend is sourced from the renowned Mer Soleil Vineyard in Monterey County. Cool maritime winds off the bay keep the vineyards temperate all summer long. One of the coolest vintages in recent memory, 2005 offered ideal conditions for Viognier and Marsanne resulting in a wine of excellent balance and complexity. The 2005 Treana White displays elegant varietal characteristics; vibrant floral aromas of honeysucke and jasmine are followed by ripe stone fruit flavors, hints of pear and honey overtones. Solid minerality lends complexity and structure. The mouthfeel is lush and full, while bright acidity cleans the palate offering ease and versatility to food pairing. The 2005 Treana White will age beautifully over the next decade.

White Wine by Bonny Doon from California. From what far-flung, telic appellation might be dispatched a white cigar? Le Cigare Blanc is the white analogue of Le Cigare Volant, Bonny Doon's homage to the complex blended wines of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape. This seasonal outing is based (60%) on the Roussane variety. This mysteriously subtle grape combines stone and mineral notes within a package surprisingly full of ripe orchard fruit. Grenache Blanc at 40% volume adds its own bright refreshing character, nearly merging this cuvee into the fast lane of snappiness, before the Rousanne takes charge, pulling stylishly over to the right and settling down for a seductively long ride.

White Wine by Tablas Creek from Central Coast, California. The Tablas Creek Vineyard Cotes de Tablas Blanc is a blend of four estate-grown white Rhone varietals: Viognier, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, and Roussanne. The wine, like most wines of the Southern Rhone, is a blend of varietals, featuring the aromatics and fruit of the Viognier, the flavors and clean minerality of the Marsanne and Roussanne, and the crisp acids and rich mouthfeel of the Grenache Blanc. The 2006 Cotes de Tablas Blanc is Tablas Creek's fifth national release of its Viognier-based white blend. It features spicy aromas of herbs, stone fruits and minerals are followed in the mouth by apricot flavors, rich texture, bright acidity, and a long, clean, peachy finish. Food pairings: mussels Mariniere, green salads with avocado and citrus dressing, scallops, ceviche, light fish (halibut, sole) with tropical salsa

White Wine by Domaine Famille Ligneres from Languedoc-Roussillon, France - regions. 100% Rousanne and pale yellow in color, this Single vineyard cuvee entices with aromas of ripe, peppery peach and hints of pineapple. Heart-warming flavors of tropical fruit, minerality, and an apricot floral essence refresh the palate.

White Wine by Wrattonbully Vineyards from South Australia, Australia. The 2006 Wrattonbully Vineyards Marsanne Viognier has aromas of white flowers and honey, complemented by the flavours of crunchy pear, white peach and hazelnuts. The palate has a savoury texture with a moreish warmth and creamy finish. Together these two varieties have created a wine of both elegance and power - the perfect foil for a great meal. The 2006 Marsanne (60%) - Viognier (40%) was fermented with native yeasts in seasoned French oak. It remained on the lees for 6 months with regular battonage. Medium straw-colored, it offers complex aromas of mineral, honey, candle wax, and pit fruits. This leads to a medium-bodied, round, ripe, intensely flavored wine with excellent length. Drink it over the next 2-3 years. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 90 Points

White Wine by Ch. Lamargue from Languedoc-Roussillon, France - regions. Blend: 50% Grenache Blanc, 50% Roussanne The color is a pale lemon with green reflections. The bouquet displays mineral notes combined with intense aromas of exotic fruit and white flowers. It's round Taste Round and fresh, with a good balance of fruit, acidity and alcohol. Located in France's southern Rhone Valley, Chateau Lamargue (Lah-Marg) comprises 210 acres of vineyard in the up-and-coming Costieres de N?mes appellation. The estate boasts a showcase winery equipped with the most advanced winemaking technology as well as new French and American oak barriques. Investment to date stands at over $12 million dollars. Their Costieres de N?mes AOC wines come from vineyards where yields are approximately one bottle of wine per vine.

White Wine by Ch. Lamargue from Languedoc-Roussillon, France - regions. Grape Varieties: 50% Grenache Blanc, 50% Roussanne. Color: Pale lemon with green reflections. Bouquet: The nose displays mineral notes combined with intense aromas of exotic fruit and white flowers. On the palate, it is round and fresh, with a good balance of fruit, acidity and alcohol. Taste: Round and fresh, with a good balance of fruit, acidity and alcohol. Serving Suggestions: Perfect on its own as an aperitif. Delicious served with fish and white meats in light sauces, as well as cheeses such as Gouda and Parmigiano.